Grounding device for fiber storage trays

ABSTRACT

A cable management panel having a grounding arrangement. The grounding arrangement including a rolling ground strap interconnected to each of a drawer and a chassis of the cable management panel. The rolling ground strap being arranged to include a loop that rolls along the length of the ground strap.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to devices and arrangements used in thetelecommunications industry for managing cables. In particular, thisdisclosure relates to devices for use in optical fiber cable drawers.

BACKGROUND

Cable storage arrangements and devices are used in thetelecommunications industry to mange fiber optic cables and preventunnecessary or excessive displacement of optical fibers. Some examplesof known arrangements include cable management panels having a chassisand sliding drawer with various devices contained within the interior ofthe drawer that manage the cables.

Insufficient grounding can cause problems with the proper functioning ofcables stored within such panel arrangements. Some conventional panelarrangements utilize grounding devices, such as grounding wires, forexample, to ground the drawers to the chassis. The wires, however, oftenbecome pinched between the drawer and chassis during movement of drawer.Other problems associated with wires and other conventional groundingdevices include wear or fatigue of the grounding components, and thecost and complexity of assembly associated with providing such groundingdevices.

In general, improvement has been sought with respect to groundingdevices, generally to provide a long lasting grounding device thatreliably functions without pinching or fatigue to better manage theelectrical ground of cable management panels.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a grounding arrangement for use in acable management panel. The grounding arrangement generally includes aground strap interconnected to each of a drawer and a chassis of thecable management panel. In one aspect, the ground strap is a rollingground strap positionable in a forward position and a rearward positionrelative to the position of the drawer. In another aspect, movement ofthe ground strap between a forward position and a rearward position iscontained within a discrete region, the discrete region having a widthapproximately equal to a width of the ground strap.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a cablemanagement panel having a drawer shown in an open position, and having agrounding arrangement according to the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the cable management panel ofFIG. 1, showing a first end portion of the grounding arrangement;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the first end portion of thegrounding arrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another bottom perspective view of the cable management panelof FIG. 1, showing a second end portion of the grounding arrangement;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the second end portion of thegrounding arrangement of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a ground strap of the grounding arrangementshown in FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ground strap of FIG. 6, takenalong line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the cable management panel of FIG. 1, shownwith the drawer in a closed position, and illustrating the groundingarrangement in an associated rearward position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the cable management panel of FIG. 8, shownwith the drawer in an intermediate position, and illustrating thegrounding arrangement in an associated intermediate position; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the cable management panel of FIG. 9, shownwith the drawer in an open position, and illustrating the groundingarrangement in an associated forward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a cable management panel 10 including a groundingarrangement 30 having features that are examples of how inventiveaspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure maybe practiced. Preferred features of the cable management panel 10 withthe grounding arrangement 30 are adapted to reliably manageelectrostatic buildup without experiencing wear, fatigue, or failureassociated with conventional grounding devices.

While the present disclosure describes use of the panel 10 and groundingarrangement 30 with regards to management of electrostatic buildup, itis to be understood that other types of electrical buildup and waywardelectrical drainage from other sources, such as electrical componentscontained within the drawer, are similarly managed by the presentgrounding arrangement. Electrostatic buildup is intended to be only oneexample of an electrical occurrence that is grounded by the disclosedgrounding arrangement.

In general, the cable management panel 10 of FIG. 1 is used in thetelecommunication industry for storing and managing fiber optic cables.The panel can be configured with various managing and distributiondevices, such as cable spools, radius limiters, storage trays,attenuators, couplers, switches, multiplexers, splitters, combiners, orsplices, for example. In use, the panel 10 is typically mounted to arack, cabinet, enclosure, or other mounting fixture (not shown). In someapplications, a number of cable management panel 10 incorporating thefeatures of the present disclosure can be mounted to a rack or enclosureto provide a system of cable management panels.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cable management panel 10 includes a frame orchassis 12 and a drawer 14. A drawer slide 16 operably interconnects thedrawer 14 and the chassis 12. The drawer slide 16 allows the drawer 14to easily slide relative to the chassis 12 from a closed position to anopen position. Typically, the cable management panel 10 is oriented andarranged such that the drawer 14 slides out horizontally from thechassis 12. Further details of an example cable management panel havinga chassis, drawer, and slide arrangement that can be used in accordancewith the principles disclosed is described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/631,675; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The chassis 12 of the present cable management panel 10 generallyincludes a top cover 20, a back wall 22 (FIG. 2), sides 24, and inwardlyprojecting bottom ledges 26 (FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment,each of the top cover 20, back wall 22, sides 24, and bottom ledges 26are an integral construction formed of, for example, bent sheet metal.It is contemplated, however, that each component of the chassis 12 canalso be constructed individually and fastened together.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one embodiment of a grounding arrangement 30that can be used in accordance with the principle disclosed isillustrated. The grounding arrangement 30 includes a ground strap 32that is interconnected between the drawer 14 and the chassis 12. Thegrounding arrangement 30 grounds the drawer 14 to the chassis 12 todissipate electrical occurrences, such as an amperage drain fromelectrostatic buildup within the panel 10, for example.

The present ground strap 32 is a rolling ground strap, that is, theground strap rolls in response to movement of the drawer, as opposed tofolding or compressing, for example. As will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter, the rolling ground strap 32 does not fold and unfoldor compress and expand, thereby reducing the occurrence or likelihood offatigue and wear. The rolling ground strap 32 can handle extensivecycling (i.e. repeated drawer opening and closing), as there is littlestress or strain during drawer use. In addition, the present groundingarrangement 30 is compact and will not become pinched between the drawerand chassis. The grounding arrangement instead rolls forward andrearward in only a discrete, designated region of the cable managementpanel 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the ground strap 32 of the groundingarrangement 30 has a first end 34 (FIG. 3) that is interconnected to thechassis 12 and a second end 36 (FIG. 5) that is interconnected to thedrawer 14. In the illustrated embodiment, fasteners 40 are utilized tosecure the first and second ends 34, 36 of the rolling ground strap 32to the respective chassis 12 and drawer 14. The fasteners 40 include athreaded bolt 72, a lock washer 74, and a threaded nut 76. Othersecuring constructions, such as weldments or rivets, for example, canalso be used to secure the ground strap between the chassis and drawer.

Preferably, the rolling ground strap 32 is made of a conductivematerial, such as stainless steel, for example. The conductive materialprovides an electrical ground path along which electrical occurrences,such as amperage drain from electrostatic buildup and wayward electricaldrainage from other sources, are dissipated. Other conductive materialsthat can be used include beryllium and copper, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the first and second ends 34, 36 of the groundstrap 32 define enlarged tabs 44, 46. Mounting holes 48, 50 are formedin the enlarge tabs 44, 46. The mounting holes 48, 50 correspond to thesize and type of fasteners 40 utilized to secure the ground strap 32 tothe chassis 12 and drawer 14. The ground strap includes a centralportion 52 that extends between the enlarge tabs 44, 46. The groundstrap 32 further defines a first side 54 and a second opposite side 56(FIG. 7). In the illustrated embodiment, the rolling ground strap 32 hasa generally, flat rectangular cross-section.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the ground strap 32 of the groundingarrangement 30 has an overall length L1, an overall width W1, and anoverall thickness T1, although the disclosed principles can be appliedin a variety of sizes and applications. The length L1 of the strap 32 isgenerally defined between the first and second ends 34, 36 of the strap,and is preferably between 6.0 and 12.0 inches; more preferably betweenabout 7.0 and 9.0 inches. The width W1 of the strap 32 is generallydefined by the central portion 40 of the ground strap 32, and ispreferably between 0.075 and 0.500 inches; more preferably between about0.100 and 0.250 inches. The thickness T1 of the ground strap 32 isgenerally defined between the first side 54 of the ground strap and thesecond side 56; and is preferably between 0.003 and 0.012; morepreferably between about 0.003 and 0.006 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the rolling ground strap 32 is positionablein and between a forward position and a rearward position. When thedrawer 14 is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 8, the rollingground strap 32 is in the rearward position. FIG. 9 illustrates thedrawer 14 in an intermediate position; the rolling ground strap 32 iscorrespondingly in an intermediate position between the rearwardposition and the forward position. When the drawer 14 is in an openposition, as shown in FIG. 10, the rolling ground strap 32 is in theforward position.

Preferably, the rolling ground strap 32 rolls between the rearwardposition and the forward position. That is, the ground strap 32 does notfold and unfold or compress and expand during operation of the drawer14. Folding/unfolding and compressing/expanding movement can causefatigue and excessive component wear. Rolling reduces the likelihood ofcomponent wear and fatigue.

Preferably, the rolling ground strap 32 rolls between the rearwardposition and the forward position generally without lateral movement.That is, the ground strap 32 rolls within a discrete and predeterminedregion 70 (FIG. 4) within the panel 10. The discrete and predeterminedregion 70 is generally the region required for clearance of the centralportion 52 of the ground strap 32, as the ends 34, 36 of the strap aremounted flush with the chassis and drawer. Because there is no lateralmovement of the ground strap 32, the discrete region has a width W2approximately equal to the width W1 of the ground strap. Thisadvantageously minimizes the spatial requirements of the groundingarrangement 10.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 5, each of the first and second ends 34,36 of the ground strap 32 is secured to the respective chassis 12 anddrawer 14 such that the same one of the first and second sides 54, 56 ofthe strap is mounted flush with each of the chassis 12 and the drawer14. In particular, the ground strap 32 is mounted, for example, with thefirst side 54 flush or in contact with the mounting surface of the ledge26 of the chassis 12, and with the first side 54 also flush or incontact with the mounting surface of the drawer 14. By mounting theground strap 32 in this manner, a loop 60 (FIG. 8) is formed in themounted ground strap 32 between the first and second ends 34, 36 of theground strap.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the loop 60 is generally defined by acurved loop end 62, and overlapping sections 64, 66 of the centerportion 52 of the ground strap 32. As shown in FIG. 8, the loop 60 has aheight H2 and a length L2. The height H2 is defined generally as thevertical distance between the first and second ends 34, 36 of the strap32 when the strap is mounted to the chassis and drawer. Morespecifically, the height H2 is defined by a bend radius R (FIG. 9) ofthe curved loop end 62 of the loop 60. In the illustrated embodiment,the bend radius R of the curved loop end 62 is between about 0.5 and 1.0inches. The height H2 of the loop 60 is accordingly two times the bendradius R of the curved loop end 62. The length L2 of the loop 60 isdefined between the curved looped end 62 and a point where the centralportion 52 of the strap 32 no longer overlaps itself.

In alternative embodiments, the bend radius R can be greater or lesser,depending upon the material of which the ground strap 32 is made. Inaddition, the bend radius R, and accordingly the height H2 of the loop60 can be greater or lesser depending upon the vertical and horizontaldistance between attachments locations of the ends of the ground strapand the desired travel distance of the drawer.

As shown in FIG. 8, the loop 60 is located adjacent to the second end 36of the ground strap 32 when the drawer 14 is in the closed position.Referring to FIG. 10, the loop 60 is located adjacent to the first end34 of the ground strap 32 when the drawer 14 is in the open position.The size of the loop 60 increase and decreases in response to movementof the drawer 14. That is, the length L2 of the loop 60 changes, orlengthens and shortens, in response to movement of the drawer 14. Theheight H2 of the loop 60 remains generally constant during movement ofthe drawer 14.

In use, the curved loop end 62 of the loop 60 rolls along the length ofthe ground strap 32 (i.e., along the center portion 52) during movementof the drawer 14. As the curved loop end 62 rolls along the centerportion 52, the length of the loop 60 changes. For example, the loop 60has a first loop length L2 (FIG. 8.) when in the drawer is in the closedposition, and a second longer loop length L2′ (FIG. 9) when the draweris in the intermediate position between the closed and open positions.The change in loop length corresponds to the rolling location of thecurved loop end 62 of the loop 60, and the change in the length of theoverlapping sections 64, 66.

Because the loop 60 simply rolls along the length of the ground strap32, little stress or strain is placed upon the grounding arrangement 30.This rolling ground strap feature of the present grounding arrangement30 permits the grounding arrangement to handle extensive drawer usewithout wear and fatigue. The grounding arrangement 30 is also designedto require minimal panel space, thereby reducing costs associated withproviding panels sized and configured to accommodate conventionalgrounding devices. Further, because of the simple design of the presentgrounding arrangement 30, the grounding arrangement is easy to assembly,thereby reducing assembly costs.

The above specification provides a complete description of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A cable management panel, comprising: a) a drawer and a chassis, thedrawer being selectively positionable in an open position and a closedposition; b) a slide assembly interconnected to the drawer and thechassis, the slide assembly providing sliding movement of the drawerrelative to the chassis; and c) an electrical grounding arrangement,including: i) a rolling ground strap having first and second ends eachinterconnected to one of the drawer and the chassis, the rolling groundstrap defining a loop located between the first and second ends; ii)wherein the loop of the rolling ground strap lengthens and shortens inresponse to movement of the drawer, and wherein the loop has a heightand a length, the height of the loop remaining generally constant duringmovement of the drawer.
 2. The panel of claim 1, wherein the rollingground strap rolls between a shorter-loop position and a longer-loopposition generally without lateral movement.
 3. The panel of claim 1,wherein the rolling ground strap rolls forward and rearward within adiscrete region, the discrete region having a width approximately equalto a width of the ground strap.
 4. The panel of claim 1, wherein theheight of the loop is defined by a bend radius of the ground strap, thebend radius being between about 0.5 and 1.0 inches.
 5. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein loop is located adjacent to the first end of the groundstrap when the drawer is in the open position, and wherein the loop islocated adjacent to the second end of the ground strap when the draweris in the closed position.
 6. The panel of claim 1, wherein a curvedloop end of the loop rolls along the length of the ground strap duringmovement of the drawer.
 7. The panel of claim 1, wherein the rollingground strap has a flat rectangular cross-section.
 8. The panel of claim7, wherein the flat rectangular cross-section of the rolling groundstrap defines a width, the width being between about 0.100 and 0.250inches.
 9. The panel of claim 7, wherein the flat rectangularcross-section of the rolling ground strap defines a thickness, thethickness being between about 0.003 and 0.006 inches.
 10. The panel ofclaim 1, wherein the electrical grounding arrangement provides anelectrical pathway along which electrical occurrences are dissipated.11. A cable management panel, comprising: a) a drawer and a chassis, thedrawer being selectively positionable in an open position and a closedposition; b) a slide assembly interconnected to the drawer and thechassis, the slide assembly providing sliding movement of the drawerrelative to the chassis; and c) an electrical grounding arrangement,including: i) a ground strap having a flat rectangular cross-sectionthat defines a width, the ground strap including a first end secured tothe chassis and a second end secured to the drawer, the ground strapincluding a loop located between the first end and the second end; ii)wherein the loop of the ground strap has a height and a length, thelength of the loop increasing and decreasing in response to movement ofthe drawer, the ground strap being contained within a discrete regionduring movement of the drawer, the discrete region having a widthapproximately equal to a width of the ground strap.
 12. The panel ofclaim 11, wherein the ground strap rolls between a forward position anda rearward position relative to movement of the drawer.
 13. The panel ofclaim 12, wherein the ground strap rolls generally without lateralmovement.
 14. The panel of claim 12, wherein the ground strap furtherincludes a first side and a second opposite side, each of the first andsecond ends of the ground strap being secured to the respective chassisand drawer such that the same one of the first and second sides ismounted flush with each of the chassis and the drawer.
 15. The panel ofclaim 11, wherein the height of the loop remains generally constantduring movement of the drawer.
 16. The panel of claim 11, wherein acurved loop end of the loop rolls along a length of the ground strapduring movement of the drawer.
 17. The panel of claim 16, wherein thecurved loop end of the loop is located adjacent to the first end of theground strap when the drawer is in the open position, and wherein thecurved loop end is located adjacent to the second end of the groundstrap when the drawer is in the closed position.
 18. The panel of claim11, wherein the electrical grounding arrangement provides an electricalpathway along which electrical occurrences are dissipated.